Media Shutdown As Kenyans Await Odinga ‘Swearing In’

Mainstream television stations have been switched off in Kenya as they broadcast proceedings of the much awaited inauguration of the opposition National Super Alliance’s (NASA) Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Muyoka as ‘people’s president’ and deputy president respectively.

NASA boycotted the October 26 repeat election ordered by the Supreme Court and have instead opted to swear in their presidential candidates based on the August 8 poll which they claim to have won.

Uhuru Kenyatta had been declared the winner of the August poll, and also went ahead to win the repeat election, polling over 98% of the votes cast.

The swearing in that will happen today is legitimate based on the August 8 election. Odinga is the one we recognise as the president and that is why we are swearing him in

Kenyatta was sworn in in November last year, but NASA has refused to recognise the legitimacy of his government and vowed to run a parallel government.

The swearing in ceremony which the government warned against is slated to happen today, and before the shutdown, the media reported that hundreds of NASA’s supporters trooped to Uhuru Park in the capital, Nairobi, the venue of the inauguration.

Kenyans have taken to social media to vent their frustrations over the media shutdown which they describe as yet another ‘unconstitutional’ move by Uhuru Kenyatta’s government.

Though the police had said they would prohibit any illegal assemblies on Tuesday, there were no uniformed police in the park and no anti-riot officers or vehicles.

Local radio station Capital FM reported that supporters had been granted permission by Kenyan authorities to use the park. Police and government spokesman were not immediately reachable for comment on that report.

Opposition supporters claim Odinga won the August vote.

‘‘The swearing in that will happen today is legitimate based on the August 8 election. Odinga is the one we recognise as the president and that is why we are swearing him in,” said hairdresser Benta Akinyi, 32, standing near other opposition supporters blowing horns and whistles.

Many have resorted to live streaming the proceedings using social media platforms and tools, even as fear of an internet shutdown grows.